The X-47B is about the size of a fighter jet and has a range of more than 2,100 nautical miles, with the ability to fly fully autonomous. Tuesday's launch will occur aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) aircraft carrier in Norfolk, Va.

The Navy is looking to use the UCAS to demonstrate the integration of unmanned aircraft into carrier-based operations.

"Over the coming years, we will heavily leverage the technology maturation, networking advances and precision navigation algorithms developed from the X-47B demonstration program to pursue the introduction of the first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft," Rear Adm. Mat Winter, the Navy's program executive officer for unmanned aviation, wrote in a Monday blog post. "This future system will provide a 24/7, carrier-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and targeting capability, which will operate together with manned aviation assets allowing the opportunity to shape a more efficient carrier air wing,"